Earlier today we noted in a new report that Apple could extend their use of OLED displays beyond the 2017 iPhone through to the iPad, MacBooks and beyond, according to news out of Korea that Samsung has partnered with Parade Technologies to bring OLED displays to the PC market for the first time in volume. This would no doubt open the door for Apple to expand OLED displays across their entire line-up of devices and computers.

Bloomberg is reporting this afternoon that the deal for OLED displays for Apple's 2017 iPhone is likely to be an exclusive initially for Samsung – something that we reported on back on April 15. While our earlier report didn't claim exclusivity, it did mention an exclusive Samsung plant for iPhone displays, which was obviously on the table if Apple would give Samsung an exclusive.

The potential deal to supply Apple with OLED screens -- first reported by the Maeil Business Newspaper -- may help Samsung reverse two years of dwindling smartphone market share, revenue and net income. The consumer-electronics giant in January warned of a gloomy 2016, so locking in Apple may attract Chinese smartphone vendors wanting to upgrade their devices to stay competitive.

Chung Won Suk, a Seoul-based analyst at HI Investment & Securities Co., said of the potential Apple supply deal that 'It's great news for Samsung. Samsung will exclusively get the initial orders from Apple in late 2017 for the flagship lines, and it will get the price premium.'

Park Ki-Bum, a Seoul-based analyst at BNK Securities Co. echoed that by stating that 'When Apple starts adopting the new screens for its iPhones from 2017, that will be the trigger to change the whole smartphone industry landscape to OLEDs. If the world's two biggest smartphone makers are leading the technical changes, it is almost certain that Chinese brands will follow their path.'" For more on this story, read the full Bloomberg report here.

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